Chapter 1096: Preparations
It took a long time for Leon to fully process his impression of the rather vagrant-looking Archelaus. When he and his people were returned to Alhamachim via river of Lumenite, he hardly spoke a word until returning to his consulate building, and when he did, he sat quite heavily in his chair at the head of the meeting room he’d commandeered. The rest of the party he’d taken with him assembled around him, with the mood largely upbeat and celebratory, Leon having told them of the outcome of his chat with Archelaus before they left.
Tauri, in particular, was overjoyed, laughing and joking with Marcus and Alix the entire way back, and even attempting to flirt with Red a bit, though the wyvern had none of it, ignoring Tauri completely.
As he sat mulling over everything that had happened during the day, he felt a hand on his arm. Looking up, sapphire eyes filled his vision; Valeria asked, “Everything all right?”
Her question silenced the room and drew all attention back to Leon.
After taking a couple seconds to think over what he wanted to say, he slowly, deliberately, said, “I got what I wanted from Archelaus. He recognized my power, yet he’s allowing me to walk away. He gave me everything, asked for little save for peace, and even recognized me as a Strategos.”
“These are good things,” Tauri said, grinning.
Leon nodded his head in agreement, though exchanged a meaningful look with Clear Day. “Too good. I feel like a sword now hangs above my neck, and at any moment, it will fall.”
“What is the area of concern?” Gaius asked, his tone indicating he immediately went into problem-solving mode.
Leon appreciated his demeanor and shifted his attitude to match. “The south. The King’s Ocean.”